Patience, My Friends, Patience

Apologies, dear Bloggers, for the rather brief hiatus. It seems one cannot take a secretive vacation without incessant noises ensuing. Thus in an effort to cease the clamoring of my oh-so-many admirers (that'd be one) I shall update you on the ins-and-outs of the vacation.

• Step One: Purchase ticket to St Louis for under $550. Hard to find. Big deal.
• Step Two: Don't tell little sister about plans.
• Step Three: Arrange for place to stay. Aunt & Uncle will do.
• Step Four: Work even longer hours the week before you leave preparing for the week you'll be gone only so that when you return you work even longer hours to catch up on what's been missed.
• Step Five: Skip your church to go to his church.
• Step Five-A: Eat really, really yummy lunch at Simon & Siefert's knowing you're literally the only people in the room not celebrating Mother's Day. (Though, he kindly noted many people probably thought me to be with-child on that glorious day... yikes.)
• Step Six: Board plane.
• Step Seven: Board another plane.
• Step Eight: Arrive in St Louis to spend three whole days shopping, site-seeing and visiting with friends. This step also includes eating at the following places: Gus' Pretzels, Steak 'N' Shake, White Castle and Imo's Pizza. For those who have no idea what those are, you are missing out.
• Step Nine: Survive three hour drive between 9-year-old and 7-year-old cousins. Attempt to ignore please of "How much longer?" and "I'm hungry, mama."
• Step Ten: Surprise unsuspecting sister in Bass Pro Shop amidst many speed boats and 4-wheelers. She hit me. It hurt.

Overall, vacation was nice. I got to see 98.9% of the folks I wanted to see. The Malone's invited me and a handful of folks over for a BBQ on Wednesday evening. Even though it's been quite some time, I value and love that family almost as much as I love my own. At least Mom Malone will always love me more than Brad! Anyway, I even got to see Hannah Lou for a whole two-hours simply because she is a wonderful friend who helped me get to the OKC Airport.

As Erin graduated she broke the "Potts' Curse of the Last Child" and she adamantly proclaimed she'd be going to Disney World (not for fun, for work. Though for her, work is fun.) It was nice to get out of Alaska to see friends and family I hadn't seen in years, but it's VERY nice to be home again.

The original sign to Jennemann's Tavern (now JR's Saloon) that was run by my family for over 100 years. Eventually, I hope to someday get the sign and hang it somewhere special.

The always necessary, somewhat Senior-picture-like, photo of Erin before graduation.

The aforementioned cousins, Sarah (9) and Tracy (7), at Erin's graduation.

The fam: Dad (Steve), Erin, Me and Mom (Judy)

The photo that made me reconsider living in Alaska.
(Yuck! I need a tan!)

More pictures exist out there somewhere. I'll attempt to post them as soon as Brooke & Mom send them to me.

pictures, pictures, pictures

In light of my recent money woes, I've been thinking a lot about how to make some more money without having to get an official job or being roped into selling items I myself cannot afford. Really nothing came to mind initially until my mom's friend, Randi, told me I should sell my photography. Now really I have no idea how to go about doing that but I thought I'd get some more feedback from my faithful bloggers. What do you think?

First Class or Coach?

Today, my friends, is a big day for me. Today was the day I picked up my new glasses. It's been nearly seven years since my last pair so it was due time I got them--- and I got a rather cute pair, if I do say so myself. :) So obviously I'm quite excited about the new purchase...

Not much else to update on really but I'm in the mood to make a list so here you go:

• Work has been work. I have been oddly productive this week to the point that yesterday I had to make myself stop so I'd have something to do today. That NEVER happens so don't be jealous.
• On Wednesday I spent quality time with the boy, who posted video of our playtime with the pups. Upon viewing said video I promptly decided that this &^%$#@! boot needs to come off so I can get my fat @$$ back to the gym.
• April & I have been discussing the future of our housing situation. We still have yet to get a definitive answer from our current landlord so we've been perusing Craig's List for possible apartments &/or houses. Which actually prompted me to fill out paperwork to see how much I can get pre-qualified for to buy a house. And if my calculations are correct... we may have to keep renting.
• Tonight the church will be filled with lots of ideas and planning for our Strategic Goals meeting. The last time St John had one of these was 15 years ago when Pastor Rockey first arrived. Seeing as all the goals have been met (thanks to yours truly!) it's about time for another session. So, all night tonight and all day tomorrow --> me @ church.

Other than that nothing going on. So, for the 3 or 4 of you who actually read this, I apologize for the boredom that is my life. Though, admittedly, I bought these particular glasses partially because I knew it would make my Coach-loving sister tres jealous. Hehe.